A scoping review of specialist secondary medical services for adults with intellectual disabilities in Australia

BACKGROUND: Specialist secondary medical services may help address the complex healthcare needs of adults with intellectual disabilities. Little is known about how these services are organised and delivered across Australia. METHOD: A scoping review was conducted, alongside service contact, to identify specialist secondary medical services with an explicit remit to provide medical care to adults with intellectual disabilities. RESULTS: Eleven services were identified. Service models varied across jurisdictions, staffing, eligibility criteria, referral pathways, and models of care. Most services provided outpatient assessment and consultation. No services were identified in Western Australia, Tasmania, or the Northern Territory. CONCLUSION: This review provides the first national map of specialist secondary medical services for adults with intellectual disabilities in Australia. It demonstrates substantial variation in how these services are organised and delivered and highlights the need for further evaluation of service effectiveness, population need, and models of care to inform future health service planning.